LaRoche’s Call-Up Is Put on Hold

They bolted through the farm system and are crowding the Dodgers clubhouse in the thick of a pennant race. The names of the top prospects are familiar by now: Kemp and Loney, Martin and Ethier, Billingsley and Broxton.

Pitcher Hong-Chih Kuo -- who will make his first major league start Friday -- and outfielder Delwyn Young were added this week.

But one top prospect is conspicuous in his absence.

Third baseman Andy LaRoche, who batted .315 with 19 home runs and 81 runs batted in while splitting the season between double A and triple A, was not called up.

“There were several reasons,” Manager Grady Little said. “I don’t know how I’d get him any playing time, to tell you the truth.”

Before the All-Star break, it appeared LaRoche might be called up to add punch at third base, which was manned at the time by Cesar Izturis. LaRoche opted not to have shoulder surgery because he believed he had a chance to be promoted.

However, the Dodgers acquired third baseman Wilson Betemit and the versatile Julio Lugo in trades and dealt Izturis, leaving no role for LaRoche. Next spring he will compete with Betemit for the job.

For now?

“Andy will get his opportunities, just not this week, not this season,” Little said. “He’s had a good year and he played hard. We still think an awful lot of him.”

*

Kuo was tabbed for the start against the New York Mets over veteran right-hander Aaron Sele and rookie left-hander Eric Stults. All of Kuo’s 32 major league appearances have come in relief, but he changed roles at triple A six weeks ago and pitched well in nine starts.

“We feel good about his stuff,” Little said. “I think he’ll be fine.”

*

Relief pitcher and accomplished artist Brett Tomko has taken on a new project. He is coming up with a painting in water colors for the Dodgers holiday greetings card.

The painting will be a cartoon of rookies Russell Martin, Andre Ethier, Chad Billingsley, Jonathan Broxton, Matt Kemp and James Loney portrayed as children wearing oversized Dodgers batting helmets.

“It’s something completely different than what I’m used to doing,” Tomko said. “I’ll see if I can pull it off.”

*

Chad Billingsley threw 75 pitches on flat ground and felt good, increasing the probability that he will make a start against the Chicago Cubs next week.... Ken Howell, the pitching coach at triple-A Las Vegas, has joined the Dodgers staff for two weeks. John Shoemaker, manager at double-A Jacksonville, will spend the last two weeks of the season with the Dodgers.

*

steve.henson@latimes.com